Open Cockpit Weekend 2009

A New Benchmark

by Tony Iozzi et al

Click on the image for a panoramic view of QAM on the Sunday of Open Cockpit Weekend.
(Note that the larger image is 6000 pixels wide so you will need to scroll to the right to view the entire image)

The Queensland Air Museum's 35th anniversary Open Cockpit Weekend on Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th July attracted 4,000 visitors. It included fly-overs by two RAAF Roulettes PC-9s (A23-063 and A23-064) and an F-111. Royal Australian Navy Seahawk helicopter N24-003 flew in on the Saturday and gave an impromptu handling demonstration on departure on the Sunday. This Seahawk is no stranger to QAM having visited OCW in 2006.

The RAN Seahawk touches down in the QAM compound.
(Click on image for a larger version)

The Queensland Detachment of the RAN Band played for the crowd on the Saturday. Their "Big Band" sound was so good that many visitors who could not see the band thought we were playing a CD.

The RAN Band entertains the crowd.
(Click on image for a larger version)

Unprecedented support from the defence forces, media coverage and sponsors helped make the 2009 OCW the best ever. It spread our story far and wide, and this should lead to increased visitor numbers throughout the year and to an even bigger OCW in 2010.

The crowds kept coming - providing a real challenge for volunteers at the front counter - especially with change. At one point the Flight Deck Cafe ran out of hot food. Nevertheless, visitors enjoyed what we had on offer with seemingly unending queues waiting to hop into the cockpit of the Spitfire, and to experience life inside the DC-3. And there were plenty of shutterbugs, too. It was wonderful to see the joy on the face of children as they sat in the pilot's seats - and equally heart-warming to see the happy faces on their parents.

Politicians also made an appearance; Liberal Shadow Health Minister Mark McArdle MP, Councillor Tim Dwyer, and NLP member for Maroochydore Fiona Simpson MP, as well as the President of the Caloundra Chamber of Commerce and Channel 9 personality and news reader, Andrew Lofthouse.

The OCW held something of interest for everyone. The Royal Flying Doctor Service display ran out of items for sale; the model aircraft display proved a huge hit; hopefully we can persuade them to fire up the engines at the next OCW. The jumping castle never stopped shaking, and the Vietnam Veteran's BBQ and the Flight Deck Cafe did a roaring trade.

Two visitors with unexpected links to the QAM made themselves known; Barrie Brown was the pilot of our Caribou A4-173 on its delivery flight from Canada straight to its deployment in Vietnam. George Flick, who is now President of the RAAF Association in Nambour once flew our Canberra A84-225.

A door prize of a free Chopperline helicopter flight for up to three people over the Sunshine Coast, accommodation at Crowne Plaza and Aussie World entry passes; food outlets, a jumping castle, live music and interactive activities for younger children added to the carnival atmosphere.

The RTFV/No. 35 Squadron memorial plaque.
(Click on image for a larger version)

At 9 a.m. on Saturday 4th July the Vietnam Veterans Association unveiled a plaque dedicated to the RAAF Transport Flight Vietnam (RTFV) which later became No. 35 Squadron, known affectionately as "Wallaby Airlines". The dedication ceremony was attended by Air Commodore (Retired) Peter Coy, representatives of the RTFV/35 Squadron Association, members of the Vietnam Veterans Association, invited guests and a flag party of cadets from 223 Squadron. Twenty volunteers from Number 6 F-111 Squadron from RAAF Base Amberley also attended, and remained to help our volunteers during the whole weekend. One of our 6 Squadron volunteers, Peter Swift, has a close association with QAM's Dove. It once belonged to his father, Cec Swift.

The RTFV/No. 35 Squadron memorial plaque.
(Click on image for a larger version)

Our President, Cliff Robinson acknowledged the great debt to the QAM's volunteers - many of whom gave up three or four days to help set things up, and also those who put in a whole weekend over and above their usual volunteering contribution. In particular he thanked the partners of our volunteers who variously worked at the Flight Deck Cafe, at the front counter and/or sold raffle tickets.

He expressed his sincere thanks to the 'bang-up job' done by the OCW Committee, and to everyone involved for a mighty team effort. 'With this spirit,' he said, 'The QAM's future couldn't be brighter.'

Raffle and Competition Prize Winners

IMAGES OF OCW 2009
by Nick Sayer

(Click on image for a larger version)

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